A TYPICAL MT. WHITNEY DAY HIKE ITINERARY
Since you’ll want to depart tremendous early within the morning, I might advocate driving in to Whitney Portal the night time earlier than and arrange camp at one of many campgrounds.
Be sure to set your alarm and have your headlamp prepared, as a result of you have to be in your approach to the Mt. Whitney trailhead between 1am-3am.
You’ll begin mountaineering uphill and can quickly enter the John Muir Wilderness space, the place you would possibly get some good dawn views. After about 3 miles, you’ll cross Lone Pine Lake, and after that, you’ll formally enter the Mt. Whitney Zone the place permits are required. You’ll see Outpost Camp at 3.5 miles then you definitely’ll cross Mirror Lake and Session Lake. Quickly you’ll head above treeline and cross Path Camp at 6 miles in.
Ensure that to refill & filter your water at Path Camp earlier than heading as much as the Whitney summit as a result of after Path Camp, you received’t have another alternatives to refill on water till you might be again down from the summit. Additionally, be aware of the time of day, the clouds, the climate, and the way you are feeling. There may be by no means any disgrace in turning round. Take heed to your physique, and be sensible on the market.
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After Path Camp is the place it’s a must to dig deep and begin the intense uphill slog by way of the 97 switchbacks. When you make it by way of the switchbacks, you’ll be relieved to search out the path evens out as you hit Path Crest. After you attain the junction with the John Muir Path, you’ll know you’re getting shut!
Head up the rock path to the summit of Mt. Whitney! Ensure that to rejoice by signing the register and taking some epic summit selfies. However be sure to’re off the summit by midday, particularly if thunderstorms are within the forecast.
Once you’re prepared, begin the lengthy 10 mile descent again to Whitney Portal. When you want some motivation, take into consideration the well-deserved burgers & beers ready for you on the Portal retailer when you make it again down.
